Our Vision

“Your bones aren’t great, and you don’t have much muscle.”

Those words planted the seed that would become The Strength Initiative.

Despite years of “working out,” I was one of millions of women in the U.S. not meeting the CDC and AHA’s strength-training guidelines. And it showed, not in my weight or lab results, but in what truly defines long-term health and vitality: strength.

I had joined a research study for the free body composition scan, expecting it to confirm my active lifestyle. Instead, the data revealed a hard truth. All those early mornings and disciplined workouts weren’t building the future I wanted, they were missing a critical piece.

At 39, I knew I had to make a change. But first, I had to understand what needed changing. Ignoring the noise of fitness marketing, I turned to what I knew best as a physician: science and research. That pursuit—of evidence-based, accessible strength training for women—became the foundation of The Strength Initiative.

*The Gym was created by Justin Tooley (1978-2023). While The Gym doesn’t exist anymore, the impact Justin had on my life and so many others, lives on.

Dr. Evie Frazier, Founder of The Strength Initiative

After learning that building muscle and lifting heavy were essential for longevity and bone health, I joined The Gym. It was intimidating, filled with metal, machines, and movements I didn’t understand. The space was loud and unfamiliar, and I quickly realized I was part of another statistic: women who face real barriers to strength training.

But everything changed when I found community. The support, encouragement, and shared commitment of the women around me pushed me to stay consistent and challenge myself. That same gym that once felt overwhelming became a place of belonging. At 42, I competed in my first powerlifting meet, and felt stronger in every sense of the word.

Through conversations with friends and insights from research, I discovered my story wasn’t unique. Many women want to lift weights but are held back by fear, lack of access, or uncertainty about where to start.

That realization inspired The Strength Initiative, a space where barriers are broken, women are empowered to lift, and strength is built through community.

I hope you’ll join us.

—Evie Frazier, MD